Budesonide

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

Oral inhalation:

• This medicine is used for the treatment of chronic asthma to prevent attacks. It is not helpful during an asthma attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 2 weeks of the medicine.

Nasal:

• This medicine is used to treat nasal symptoms in patients with allergies. It is not helpful during an allergy attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 1-2 weeks of regular use.

How does it work?

Oral inhalation:

• Budesonide prevents and reduces irritation in the airways of the lungs and may relax the muscles of the airways to prevent lung spasms.

Nasal:

• Budesonide prevents and reduces irritation and swelling in the nose.

How is it best taken?

Oral inhalation:

• Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the inhaler the right way is very important.
• Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.

Nasal:

• For the nose only. Use at a similar time every day. Shake well first.
• Blow your nose before using.
• Check spray use with healthcare provider at each visit.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification if you have asthma, lung disease, or are an allergy sufferer or if you are going to be on this medicine more than 3-4 weeks.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

Oral inhaler:

• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, hoarseness.
• Mouth infection. To prevent, rinse with water after each use.

Nasal:

• Headache. Mild analgesic may help.
• Nasal irritation, burning, bleeding, and dryness.

What should I monitor?

• If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection (fever greater than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or pain).
• Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating, dizzy, especially if you missed a dose or recently stopped this medicine.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

Oral inhalation:

• Store powder at room temperature in a dry place.
• Use powder within 2 months after opening foil package.

Nasal:

• Store spray at room temperature. Throw away after 6 months.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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